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The most problematic streets were Ripon Street, where a quarter of properties displayed boards, followed by Union Road, Rudgard Lane and Charles Street West, where about a fifth of properties had to-let signs.

The issue was also highlighted in the strategy to regenerate Sincil Bank in which residents voiced concern about "streets marred by ugly 'to-let' boards".

Eighty-one out of 134 respondents to a council consultation said it was a "very serious problem" and 24 said it was a "fairly serious problem".

Residents, landlords and letting agents were also asked if they would be in favour of restrictions on boards or a complete ban.

Seventy seven householders said they wanted a ban compared to 27 backing tougher rules on boards.

Fourteen letting agents and three landlords were in favour of restrictions and just three wanted a ban.

File photo of to let boards in Scorer Street, Lincoln

The executive committee will now seek approval from the Secretary of State to ban the boards.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader of City of Lincoln Council, said the idea came after concerns from residents.

He said: “For many years we have had representations from residents in a number of our city centre areas about owners of properties leaving to-let boards up on a permanent basis.

“If you get a whole street full of to-let boards it just creates completely the wrong feel of an area.

"It makes it look as though there is constant churn of people coming and going, when often that may not be the case.

“It may be that those to-let boards have been left up as a means of free advertising for the owners of those properties, so we’re taking the view that we ought to discourage wherever and whenever we can the display of large numbers of these To Let boards.”